The remark at the Shepherd's Bush Empire on the eve of the Iraq war by singer Natalie Maines that she was 'ashamed' the President was from her home state of Texas led to death threats, radio station boycotts and plummeting album sales.

Last night the band proved their rehabilitation was complete - and that America is a very different place to what it was in March 2003.

In an awards ceremony also notable for The Police performing together for the first time since they broke up 23 years ago, the Dixie Chicks received standing ovations as they led the field with five awards, including best record and best song for Not Ready To Make Nice, an overtly political anthem about the years of controversy.

"I'm ready to make nice," Maines said as the group accepted the best record trophy.

"I think people are using their freedom of speech with all of these awards."

In a bleak night for British talent at the Grammys — James Blunt and Corinne Bailey Rae were among a clutch of UK artists to miss out on awards — the reunion of The Police provided a rare moment of glory.

They opened the ceremony with a jazzy version of the song which shot them to stardom 29 years ago, Roxanne.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are The Police and we're back!" Sting announced as he took to the stage sporting a black waistcoat over a bare chest.

With his bleached crop, it was as if the Eighties had never ended. When the band — Sting, 55, drummer Stewart Copeland, 54, and guitarist Andy Summers, 64 — ended their performance by clasping hands to take a bow, it was an uncharacteristic show of unity for three men who once could scarcely bear to be in the same room together after their split in 1984.

Now there is talk of a comeback US and European tour, with the band reported to be on the verge of signing a £150 million deal.

Among the other big winners was Mary J Blige, who picked up three awards for her double-platinum album The Breakthrough.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four for Stadium Arcadium.

Irish star Enya picked up the best new age album prize for Amarantine, while Peter Frampton provided an isolated moment of British success when he took the best pop instrumental album award for Fingerprints.

Proving that at the Grammys at least, age is no bar to success, Stevie Wonder and Tony Bennett took the award for pop collaboration with For Once In My Life.

With a career tally of 25 Grammys, Wonder now ranks at No4 on the all-time list, tied with classic pianist Vladimir Horowitz.